1 Timothy 4:9 Kommentar

Paul here foretels, I. A dreadful apostasy (Ti1 4:1-3). II. He treats of Christian liberty (Ti1 4:4, Ti1 4:5). III. He gives Timothy divers directions with respect to himself, his doctrine, and the people under his care (Ti1 4:6 to the end)

INTRODUCTION TO 1 TIMOTHY 4 In this chapter the apostle foretells a dreadful apostasy which should happen in the last times, the particulars of which he gives; and on occasion of one branch of it, discourses of Christian liberty in eating all sorts of food fit for use; and delivers out exhortations to Timothy to various duties relating to himself, his doctrine, and his charge. The prophecy is in Ti1 4:1, the author of this prophecy is the Spirit of God; the manner in which it was delivered was very clear and express; the time when it should be fulfilled, the last days; the thing itself, a departure of some from the faith; the means whereby it would come about are, some giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils, and the hypocrisy and hardened consciences of others, who would forbid marriage, and order an abstinence from certain meats; the evil of which last is exposed by their being the creatures of God, and by their being made for this purpose to be received with thankfulness by all believers, and who know the truth: and the reasons why they should be received and used follow; because they are all good, as they are the creatures of God; and because there is nothing to be refused, provided it be received with a thankful heart; and because every creature is sanctified by the word of God, and prayer, Ti1 4:4. And then Timothy is exhorted to put the brethren in mind of those things, by which he would show himself to be a faithful minister of Christ, and well instructed in the doctrines of the Gospel, Ti1 4:6, and to reject things profane and fabulous, but use himself to internal and powerful godliness, since outward worship signifies little, but the former has the promise of this, and the other world annexed to it; which is a true saying, and to be depended on, Ti1 4:7 and which is confirmed from the practice and experience of the apostles, and therefore should be taught with authority, Ti1 4:10. And then the apostle gives Timothy some advice, which being taken, would prevent his being despised, on account of his youth; as with respect to his life and conversation, so to behave as to be a pattern to others, Ti1 4:12, and with respect to the exercise of his ministry, to make use of such means, as reading and meditation, that his profiting might be manifest to all, Ti1 4:13 and with respect to the doctrines he preached, to abide by them, whereby he would be a means of saving himself, and others, Ti1 4:16.

This is a faithful saying,.... A true one, and to be believed, that godliness has such promises annexed to it; see Pe1 3:10. and worthy of all acceptation; by all godly persons, to encourage them to the exercise of godliness.

"This is a faithful saying," that is, it is true that godliness is profitable both here and hereafter. Observe how everywhere he brings in this, he needs no demonstration, but simply declares it, for he was addressing Timothy. So then even here, we have good hopes? For he who is conscious to himself of no evil, and who has been fruitful in good, rejoices even here: as the wicked man on the other hand is punished here as well as hereafter. He lives in perpetual fear, he can look no one in the face with confidence, he is pale, trembling, and full of anxiety. Is it not so with the fraudulent, and with thieves, who have no satisfaction even in what they possess? Is not the life of murderers and adulterers most wretched, who look upon the sun itself with suspicion? Is this to be called life? No; rather a horrid death!

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer criticism, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all, especially of those who believe. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. What kind? The one that gives life both here and there. And see that you yourself are also trustworthy, as if true, and acceptable to all; for in some things you are truly so, but in others doubtful. But because of the courage of the disciple, Paul speaks clearly throughout the entire Epistle. For to this end we both labor and suffer criticism. For what purpose? "because we trust in the living God." And we too labor readily to be conscious of this, and for this very reason our enemies especially wage war against us. who is the Savior of all. He is the Savior of all here. But here, not of all, but of those worthy to be saved. And here, He especially cares for the faithful. For even though we are fought against by so many, we are saved. Paul encourages Timothy into dangers for the sake of the faith, having God as Savior. Concerning his care, and that of the Church.

That is, this saying is true and worthy of being accepted by all as undoubted. And what is this saying? That godliness is profitable both here and there. Everywhere in the epistle the apostle points this out, having no need to confirm it, but simply proclaiming it, for the word was addressed to Timothy.

Then when he says, a faithful saying, he shows that a future life is promised us: first, he shows this from the labor of the saints; second, from their hope, at because we hope; third, from God's benignity, at who is the Savior. He says, therefore: the saying that godliness has a promise is faithful. Why? Because in this we labor, i.e., to reach eternal life: the farmer who labors must first partake of the fruits (2 Tim 2:6); and also to do good, even though we suffer evil; hence he says, we labor and are reviled: patience has a good work (Jas 1:4); patience works trial (Rom 5:4).

Apostasy from the true faith predicted, and in what that apostasy should consist, Ti1 4:1-5. Exhortations to Timothy to teach the truth, Ti1 4:6. To avoid old wives' fables; to exercise himself to godliness, Ti1 4:7, Ti1 4:8. To labor, command, and teach, Ti1 4:9, Ti1 4:10, Ti1 4:11. To act so that none might despise his youth, Ti1 4:12. To give attendance to reading and preaching, Ti1 4:13, Ti1 4:14. To give up himself wholly to the Divine work, Ti1 4:15. And so doing he should both save himself and them that heard him, Ti1 4:16.

This is a faithful saying - The truth of this doctrine none need doubt; and every man has it in his power to put this to the proof. See on Ti1 1:15 (note).

PREDICTION OF A COMING DEPARTURE FROM THE FAITH: TIMOTHY'S DUTY AS TO IT: GENERAL DIRECTIONS TO HIM. (1Ti. 4:1-16) Now--Greek, "But." In contrast to the "mystery of godliness." the Spirit--speaking by the prophets in the Church (whose prophecies rested on those of the Old Testament, Dan 7:25; Dan 8:23, &c.; Dan 11:30, as also on those of Jesus in the New Testament, Mat 24:11-24), and also by Paul himself, Th2 2:3 (with whom accord Pe2 3:3; Jo1 2:18; Jde 1:18). expressly--"in plain words." This shows that he refers to prophecies of the Spirit then lying before him. in the latter times--in the times following upon the times in which he is now writing. Not some remote future, but times immediately subsequent, the beginnings of the apostasy being already discernible (Act 20:29): these are the forerunners of "the last days" (Ti2 3:1). depart from the faith--The apostasy was to be within the Church, the faithful one becoming the harlot. In Th2 2:3 (written earlier), the apostasy of the Jews from God (joining the heathen against Christianity) is the groundwork on which the prophecy rises; whereas here, in the Pastoral Epistles, the prophecy is connected with Gnostic errors, the seeds of which had already been sown in the Church [AUBERLEN] (Ti2 2:18). Apollonius TyanÃ&brvbrus, a heretic, came to Ephesus in the lifetime of Timothy. giving heed-- (Ti1 1:4; Tit 1:14). seducing spirits--working in the heretical teachers. Jo1 4:2-3, Jo1 4:6, "the spirit of error," opposed to "the spirit of truth," "the Spirit" which "speaketh" in the true prophets against them. doctrines of devils--literally "teachings of (that is suggested by) demons." Jam 3:15, "wisdom . . . devilish"; Co2 11:15, "Satan's ministers."

(Ti1 1:15). This verse (Greek), "faithful is the saying, " &c. confirms the assertion as to the "promise" attached to "godliness," Ti1 4:8, and forms a prefatory introduction to Ti1 4:10, which is joined to Ti1 4:9 by "For." So Ti2 2:11. Godly men seem to suffer loss as to this life: Paul hereby refutes the notion [BENGEL]. "God is the Saviour specially of those that believe" (Ti1 4:10), both as to "the life that now is," and also as to "the life which is to come" (Ti1 4:8).